Spring 2020 – Continued Modernization

After the successful launch of a small set of sites in August 2019, the University Advancement and Office of Information Technology teams implemented a period of self evaluation to identify the appropriate strategies that would allow effective stewardship of UTA’s resources and bandwidth while moving forward with migrating the remainder of campus sites to the new uta.edu.

Beginning in January 2020, the web modernization project continues in a staggered approach with the partnership and investment of all colleges and campus business units.

In April, the College of Engineering became the first site to launch in the current phase of the project. Work with a number of other colleges and business units is ongoing and new launches will be announced appropriately.

For questions about the current status of the project or specific inquiries related to your department or unit, contact Akin Akinwumi, project manager.

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What

UTA is undergoing an overhaul of the design and infrastructure of its website that will provide a unified brand identity and improved user and web manager experience that properly reflects the first-class work and innovations of a comprehensive urban-serving research institution that serves more than 60,000 degree-seeking students. This project was initiated based on feedback from faculty, staff, and students regarding the current version of uta.edu.

Why

UTA has grown rapidly since our former website design was implemented in 2010. To keep pace with the expansion of the University, the website had to expand in response, which has resulted in a splintered visual experience and decreased navigability.

Our website is the most public-facing expression of UTA’s mission, goals, values, quality, and success. The University is positioning itself as the model 21st-Century Urban Research University, and the website must reflect that trajectory.

When

The web modernization project will move in phases led by University Advancement in partnership with the Office of Information Technology; the first wave will deploy in August 2019. For more information on the project, please take a look at the FAQs and Timeline.

Advanced Technology

The new uta.edu will deploy the latest in technological advancements through its new enterprise management platform, Sitecore. The platform captures data at every touchpoint and applies machine learning to tailor the website experience for users based on their clicks and searches during previous visits.

Sitecore benefits UTA’s website managers through efficient back-end management that hosts templates to ensure a consistent identity across the web enterprise, while also providing ready-made resources to allow customization that reflects departments’ character and mission.

Vision & Goals

  • Strengthen UTA’s brand identity and recognition as the model 21st-Century Urban Research University.
  • Improve the user experience for the primary audience of prospective students.
  • Elevate efficient accessibility to information and resources through improved content architecture, navigation, and search capabilities.
  • Introduce cohesion and consistency to UTA’s web presence.
  • Define a web governance framework for improved support and maintenance, as well as increased longevity of the modernization.